Res. 5-01A - Task Force

Faithful Witness by Concordia University System

Summary

Convention delegates adopted this resolution, which commends Concordia University System (CUS) institutions “for their faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the adherence to the teachings of Holy Scripture” and calls for CUS institutions “to develop an intentional strategy for aiding their students in dealing with the unbiblical cultural challenges facing them in the world today,” and for this issue be a key part of the regular visitations conducted by the Synod President with the presidents of the CUS institutions. Additionally, the resolution called for the establishment of a task force to study three aspects of this issue.

Purpose

The purpose of this task force is to study/report on issues of confessional Lutheran identity in all CUS institutions; strengthen all CUS institutions’ connection to the Synod; review the composition, size and selection of boards of regents; review Bylaw 3.6.6.5(k); and review the governance structures of CUS institutions.

Report Due: The task force’s first reports and recommendations are due to the Synod President by the end of 2015. Their final report and recommendations will be presented to the 2016 LCMS Convention.

Meeting Schedule: Oct. 18, 2014 at the site of the Concordia University System Presidents’ Retreat (location pending) and Feb. 10, 2015, at the site of the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America meeting in Asheville, N.C. Another meeting is tentatively projected for some time in May 2015 (location and date pending).

For more information, please contact Rev. Paul Philp at paul.philp@cus.edu or 1-800-248-1930.

Related Stories

The Res. 5-01A Task Force met Feb. 10, 2015, and received input from the CUS Presidents regarding composition of boards of regents, governance models and Lutheran identity. The Task Force then began a process of structuring its report and recommendations. A preliminary structure for the Task Force report, drafting timeline and committee were established. The next face-to-face meeting will take place in November 2015.

Status Update - 10/18/2014

The task force met in Peachtree City, Ga., Oct. 18, 2014, in a joint meeting with the Concordia University System Presidents. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding mutual concerns and ideas for going forward with task force responsibilities and possible recommendations. An agreement was reached that any recommendations made in the task force’s report to the 2016 convention will be optimized if there is wide stakeholder unity and agreement. The task force completed its meeting with a thorough discussion on the Statement of Lutheran Identity shared by the CUS Presidents. While the statement is a work-in-progress with further refinements forthcoming, task force members expressed support for the statement and rejoiced that the statement comes from the CUS Presidents. The task force next meets Feb. 10, 2015, in Ashville, N.C.

Status Update - 8/13/2014

At their first meeting held Aug. 13, 2014, the task force began its work with an overview of Christianity in the University Culture, given by Dr. Gene Vieth, and an overview of the status of Lutheranism in University Culture, given by Dr. Patrick Ferry. The task force considered the development of the resolution and action taken during the 2013 Convention that is relevant to the task force's work. It also considered contributing factors to ensure task force objectives are met (i.e. clear communication, factual information, consideration for the uniqueness of each campus, and making use of facilitation from Synod and CUS). The task forced discussed at length Lutheran identity standards for CUS institutions and identified areas of work to be done on these standards. The development of strategies and identification of the next steps culminated the meeting and resulted in the establishment of two subcommittees and assignments to task force members.